Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology www.jicep.com Original Research DOI: 10.5455/jice.20140630022609 Indigenous knowledge of in local healthcare management practices by tribal people of ,

Manas Ranjan Saha1, Dilip De Sarker2, Pallab Kar1, Piyali Sen Gupta1, Arnab Sen1

1Department of ABSTRACT Botany, University Aim: The present study was aimed at exploring the indigenous knowledge of native tribes on the utilization of North Bengal, Raja Rammohanpur, of wild species for local healthcare management in Malda district of . Materials , West Bengal, and Methods: Successive field surveys were carried out from July 2012 to August 2013 in search of India, 2Department traditional healers or practitioners who ceaselessly use their worthy knowledge to treat several ailments for of Botany, human purposes. The information was collected by means of open-ended conversations, semi-structured College (University questionnaire, group discussion, etc. Information obtained from the informants was also cross verified to check College), University of the authenticity. Results: The present study revealed that a total of 53 medicinal plants belonging to the North Bengal, Raiganj, 37 families are frequently used to treat 44 types of ailments with 88 herbal preparations. Of 53 plants, herbs West Bengal, India possess the highest growth forms (32%) that were used in making traditional preparation, followed by shrubs (24%), trees (23%), climbers (17%), and parasites (4%). Roots comprised the major plant parts used (25%), Address for correspondence: Arnab Sen, Department of followed by leaves (21%), seeds (17%), bark (13%), whole plant (8%) and fruits (6%) to prepare the medicinal Botany, University of North formulations. The chief ailments treated in this province were azoospermia, diabetes, menstrual disorder, Bengal, Raja Rammohanpur, dysentery, rheumatism, etc. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the documentation of the ethnobotanical Siliguri, West Bengal, India. knowledge in management of local healthcare is the first step, which will open new door for the researchers Phone: +91-3532699118; Fax: +91-353-2699001, in the field of modern drug development. E-mail: senarnab_nbu@ hotmail.com

Received: May 23, 2014 Accepted: June 30, 2014 Published: July 14, 2014 KEY WORDS: Ethnobotany, healthcare management, India, Malda district, tribal, West Bengal

INTRODUCTION dwellers and rural people also possess unique knowledge regarding plant utilization. The knowledge of medicinal plants in India has been accumulated in course of many centuries based on several Malda district of West Bengal, India [Figure 1] is situated between ancient medicinal systems, including ayurveda, unani and the latitude and longitude of 24°40′20″N to 25°32′08″N and siddha [1]. According to the survey report of World Health 88°28′10″E to 87°45′50″E respectively with a total geographical Organization [2], 80% people of the developing world use area of 3455.66 sq km [4]. The district is characterised by its great plant remedies for several therapeutic purposes. India, one archaeological relics such as Mourya Empire, Gupta Dynasty of the richest floristic regions of the world has diverse socio- and Pala Dynasty. The region is covered with plentiful natural economic, ethnic, linguistic and cultural areas. Therefore, the vegetation, which makes it verdant. River beds, ponds, marshy indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants and their use in land etc. are good habitats for the wetland undergrowth. Most of treating several ailments might reasonably be expected in this the remote villages are covered by jungles, which consist chiefly country. Chandel et al. [3] have reported that nearly about of thorny scrub bush and large trees showing wide distribution of 70% of tribal and rural inhabitants of India are to a large extent flora. The soil of the western region of the district is particularly depended on medicinal plants for their primary healthcare suited to the growth of mulberry and mango, for which Malda has management due to either insufficient or inaccessible or less become famous. Various ethnic communities, including Santala, availability of modern healthcare system. The information Rajbanshi, Namasudre, Polia, Oraon, Mundas, Malpaharias etc. are regarding the medicinal properties of plants came down the inhabitants of this region. Of these Santala, Oraon is different traditionally generation after generation through traditional from others due to their unique culture and tradition. They are healers. Apart from the tribal groups, many other forest quite popular to treat several types of local ailments of human and

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Considering the great cultural and ethnolinguistic diversity of the tribal people of the province, several field interviews were designed to cover as broad an area of the region as possible, in order to maximize the diversity of knowledge and the plant species employed in traditional remedy. The present survey was conducted during July 2012 to August 2013 in the district. Different interviewing procedures, including direct interview, group discussion, open-ended conversations, semi-structured questionnaire etc. were followed to get the information from the local traditional healers, known as Kavirajs, Baidyas or Ojhas and aged knowledgeable persons regarding the use of different medicinal plants curing several ailments. The purpose of this survey was explained to them in details, and prior informed consent was taken as per ethical guidelines of the International Society of Ethnobiology [9]. The villages were visited in different seasons to get the plant in its flowering condition. Plants were pointed out by the informants and their local names, used plant parts, formulation and dosages were also recorded.

Plant Collection and Identification Figure 1: Map of study area (Malda district) The plants were properly photographed, and herbarium was prepared for each specimen and deposited at Raiganj University veterinary purposes [4]. Agriculture is the main source of income in College, Raiganj, India. The collected specimens were identified the territory. Besides rearing of cattle, sheep, goats, fowls, etc. are the with the help of Central National Herbarium, , India. common practices among the tribal communities in this district. The survey method followed in this study was that of the guided They also earn their livelihoods by selling milk, egg, flesh, etc., field-walk method as described by Jain [10] and the collection which plays a significant role in the rural economy of this district. of voucher specimen, preservation, herbaria technique was followed as per Jain and Rao [11]. Preliminary floristic survey and a few numbers of folk usages of local plants had been studied for Malda district by Sur et al. [5,6], Pal and Das [7] and Chowdhury and Das Total Key Informants [8], whereas Saha et al. [4] demonstrated a detailed picture regarding the ethnoveterinarian uses of plants. However, no During the survey, we interacted with more than 100 informants detailed ethnomedicinal practices by local tribal communities and retained the information only from 74 informants. Among had been done so far for this province. Hence, this is the first these, 55 were male (74.33%), and 19 were female (25.66%). hand information on the ethnomedicinal usage by the ethnic More emphasis was given to the aged knowledgeable healers people of Malda district as per author’s best knowledge. due to their vast experience in treating the local diseases and disorders. Kishori Barman (71 years), Uttam Kr. Mandal Now-a-days the traditional knowledge is in the way of erosion (53 years), Nargis Bibi (48 years), Farshed Ali (58 years), Fatema due to environmental degradation, deforestation, agricultural Begum (68 years), Basudeb Rajbanshi (55 years) Md. Subed Ali expansion and population pressure. Traditional knowledge of (44 years) etc. were the healers in the study area that we found. medicinal plants and their use by indigenous cultures are not only useful for conservation of cultural traditions and biodiversity Data Analysis but also for community healthcare and drug development at present and in the future. Therefore, recording of indigenous To analysis the data more clearly, obtaining from the informants, knowledge of medicinal plants is an urgent task. The objective we set up our own database using Microsoft Access version 2007 of this study was to interact with local traditional healers and to and the parameters were name of the taxon, family name, document their knowledge on utilization of medicinal plants, voucher number, vernacular names, parts used, diseases treated, their usage and the types of diseases treated, etc. mode of administration or medicinal uses. We also analyzed the percentage between the used parts of plant species, growth MATERIALS AND METHODS forms of the species by putting them in the graph.

Ethno Botanical Survey RESULTS

The practice of medicinal plants is widespread among the Plants Used tribal people of Malda district, and it is deeply rooted in their socioeconomic culture. However, the documentation of The present study revealed that a total of 53 medicinal plants local medicinal practices is distinctly absent for the region. belonging to 37 families were frequently used in the treatment

180 J Intercult Ethnopharmacol ● 2014 ● Vol 3 ● Issue 4 Saha, et al.: Local healthcare management practices of Malda district, India of 44 types of local ailments with 88 phytotherapeutic uses in (a remedy from milk) etc. and other ingredients such as black the territory. The number of species most frequently used in peeper, ginger, curcuma, milk etc. were also used to make ethnic the treatment of several disorders by each family was mentioned formulations along with the parts of plant species. as Euphorbiaceae-6 species, Fabaceae-5 species, whereas Acanthaceae, Amaranthaceae, Vitaceae, Malvaceae, Solanaceae, Diseases Treated and Medical Applications Mimosaceae, and Zingiberaceae contributed 2 species to each family. The rest of 28 families were represented by 1 species in A total of 44 types of diseases were reported to be cured in the each. The scientific names of recorded species, their families, present study. Azoospermia with 8 times was mostly healed vernacular names, voucher number, used parts, mode of disease in the study area, followed by different types of pains administration and local ethnic uses were illustrated in Table 1. with 6 times, ankle sprain and diabetes with five occasions Our study also exhibited that herbs were the most dominant each whereas dysentery, inflammation, menstrual disorder, growth forms with 17 species (32%), followed by 13 shrubs rheumatism, skin disorders, leucorrhea with 4 times each. (24%), 12 trees (23%), 9 climbers (17%) and only 2 parasitic Further, it can be concluded from Table 1 that the most of the species (4%) treating different ailments as shown in Figure 2. preparations were oral except a few of external use. Various Andrographis paniculata, Amaranthus spinosus, methods of preparation like crushing, grinding, direct use and scholaris, Cuscuta reflexa, Jatropha gossypiifolia, Caesalpinia homogenizing in water or with other plant extracts were used to crista, Tamarindus indica, Sida rhombifolia etc. were the most prepare the traditional remedy. Mustered oil or ghee (a remedy important plant used in the treatment of several diseases. from milk) was being utilized as an ointment at the time of external use such as itching, eczema, inflammation, pus, etc. Parts of the Plant Used and Mode of Preparation DISCUSSION Various preparations of roots were used most number of occasions with 18 times (25%), followed by leaves with 15 times The prevalent diseases identified in the study area were (21%), seeds with 12 times (17%), barks with 8 times (13%), azoospermia, ankle sprain, pain, diabetes, menstrual disorders, whole plants with 6 times (8%), fruits with 4 times (6%), rheumatism, dysentery, skin disorders, etc. To expel ankle latex and gum with 3 times (4%) etc. as shown in Figure 3 in sprain or bone crack of local people, different plant parts the treatment of several human disorders. A total of 88 types like whole plant of Cissus quadrangularis, roots of Tragia of formulations was being administrated to heal 44 types of involucrata, bark of Litsea glutinosa, bark of Acacia catechu, ailments including azoospermia, diabetes, bone crack or ankle rhizome of Alocasia macrorrhiza, fruits of Terminalia chebula sprain, several types of pain, menstrual disorders, rheumatism, were administrated whereas eight plant species namely roots of dysentery, etc. It had been observed that 20 types of diseases Bombax ceiba, seeds of C. reflexa, Ocimum kilimandscharicum were healed by leaves, whereas 26 types of ailments cured by and Abrus precatorius, roots of Curculigo orchioides etc. were roots [Table 1]. A single plant part of same plant species was administrated to treat azoospermia [Table 1]. Diabetes was involved in treating different ailments and vice-versa. cured by means of leaf of A. paniculata, seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum, seeds of Syzygium cumini, fruit of Alpinia The majority of remedies were prepared from fresh plant zerumbet and whole parts of Oxalis corniculata. To treat material in the form of a decoction, infusion or a paste. The menstrual disorders several plants had been utilized by the most frequently used mode of remedy administration is oral local traditional healers as explained in Table 1. There were ingestion, followed by external use. Most of the diseases and few species used more than one occasion to prepare medicinal pains were usually treated either with a single plant or a mixture preparations curing different ailments, viz. C. quadrangularis of plant parts. In some cases, ointments like mustered oil, ghee known as harjora was used in bone crack and ankle sprain;

Figure 2: Growth forms of utilized species Figure 3: Pie chart of used plant parts

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Table 1: List of medicinal plants investigated for local healthcare management with their ethnic use Name of the plants/ Family Local names Parts used Disease/formulation/administration voucher specimen number A. paniculata (Burm. f.) Acanthaceae Kalmegh/ Leaf Fever/Dysentry: The leaf is crushed and the juice is used to treat fever and Wall. Ex Nees Mahatita/ chronic dysentery at early morning in empty stomach RUC/MLD-255 Iswarnath Diabetes: The leaf is grinded along with leaf of S. chirata to make a paste against diabetes. The formulation is taken twice a day for 2 months H. hirta T. Ander. Acanthaceae [Not Known] Root Bleeding piles: The root is crushed along with Mentha leaves and the paste is RUC/MLD-294 applied on rectum to stop bleeding piles for 2-3 weeks A. spinosus L. Amaranthaceae Kanta Khuria/ Root Menstrual problem: The root is grinded and the decoction is mixed with milk RUC/MLD-251 Kanta note and sugar to make a paste and used to treat irregular menstruation. The paste is taken twice in a day for 1 month Rheumatism: The root is grinded with sugar (slight), goat milk and mustered oil to make a paste and applied on affected area to treat rheumatism Cuts and wounds: The grinded root paste is used as an emollient on all types of cuts and wounds A. aspera L. Amaranthaceae Apang/Baro Root Inflammation: The root is grinded with black pepper and the decoction is taken RUC/MLD-287 chirchiri to treat inflammations in abdominal areas Pain: The roots are chewed with betel and lime to treat liver pain F. vulgare Mill. Apiaceae Mouri Seed Menstrual problem: The seeds with roots of Ageratum conyzoides and ginger RUC/MLD-286 are crushed and the juice is eaten to stop excessive blood discharge during menstruation Inflammation: The seeds along with the roots of Sida rhombifolia are crushed and the paste is applied to relief from inflammation of breast A. scholaris (L.) R. Br. Chatim Bark, leaf, Anorexia: The bark decoction along with ginger is used to treat anorexia RUC/MLD-275 latex Pregnancy: The leaf decoction is feed to pregnant women to enhance delivery Pain: Latex is externally used in gum pain A. macrorrhiza Schott. Araceae Mankachu Rhizome Ankle sprain: The rhizomes are crushed along with ginger and mustered oil and RUC/MLD-310 slightly warmed. Finally, the paste is applied externally on ankle pain C. rotang L. Aracaceae Bet Seed Bronchitis: The seeds are dusted and mixed with cow-milk to treat bronchitis RUC/MLD-330 or cold and cough Skin disorders: Leaf paste along with seeds with A. maxicana is used externally in skin disorders A. indica L. Aristolochiaceae Iswarmul Root Impotency: The root is washed clearly and burned with the roots of S. ovalifolia. RUC/MLD-288 The ash is mixed with banana and taken in impotency of female B. ceiba L. Bombacaceae Simul (Beng.) Root, gum Azoospermia: The tender root (2-3-years-old tree) is crushed along with the RUC/MLD-283 roots of C. orchioides and used to induce sex and sperm production Laxative: Gum is used as an ingredient of laxative preparation H. indicum L. Boraginaceae Hatisur Leaf Dysentery: Leaf juice is used for curing dysentery and cough. Fresh leaf decoction RUC/MLD-277 is applied to wounds, boils and pruritus Conjunctivitis: The leaf juice is applied on eyes to cure eye disorders like inflammation, conjunctivitis etc. T. chebula Retz. Combretaceae Haritaki Fruit Bone crack: The Cissus stem (Harjora), Litsea stem (Daradmayda), T. bellirica RUC/MLD-341 fruit (Bahera) and an egg (white part) is crushed along with the Haritaki fruit, then the paste is applied externally on bone crack C. reflexa Roxb. Convolvulaceae Swarnalata/ Whole Nervous disorder: The plant is crushed with goat milk and the juice is feed to RUC/MLD-296 Aloklata plant, seed treat nervous disorder Azoospermia: The seed infusion is used to enhance sperm health and motility. The formulation is taken at night before sleep for 1-2 month D. bulbifera L. Dioscoreaceae Kham alu Rhizome Skin disorders: The rhizome is crushed along with leaf of T. indica and golmorich RUC/MLD-411 and the paste is applied as emollient in herpes, pusses and other skin diseases D. montana Roxb. Ebenaceae Choto gab/Ban Bark, leaf Leucoderma: The bark and leaves are together crushed and applied externally RUC/MLD-399 gab against leucoderma Diarrhoea: The decoction of bark is used against diarrhoea J. gossypiifolia L. Euphorbiaceae Varenda/ Leaf Toothache: The leaves with salt and golmorich (2-3 pieces of seeds) are crushed RUC/MLD-265 Jamalkota. and the paste used in toothache Abscesses: Leaf paste and latex are used as emollient on boils and abscesses Vomiting: Leaves juices are used to induce vomiting P. reticulatus Poir. Euphorbiaceae Panichitki Root Tumor: The root bark along with fruits of Tamarindus and zinger are crushed RUC/MLD-263 and slightly wormed then the paste is used as emollient on tumor T. involucrata L. Euphorbiaceae Bichatu/Bichuti Root Ankle sprain: The roots are crushed along with stem of harjora, curcuma and RUC/MLD-269 ginger to make paste and applied externally on broken leg and ankle sprain E. tirucalli L. Euphorbiaceae Shibjota Stem Galatogouge: The stem portion with leaf is crushed and the paste is taken orally RUC/MLD-318 to enhance milk production of women Pain: Stem is crushed along with zinger and the paste is applied as emollient on affected area to relief from pain

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Table 1: Contd. Name of the plants/ Family Local names Parts used Disease/formulation/administration voucher specimen number E. neriifolia L. Euphorbiaceae Patsaij Bark Leucorrhea: Bark is crushed along with P. betel (3-5 pieces), lime and khoir (A. RUC/MLD-305 catechu) then the paste is taken orally to cure from leucorrhea T. nudiflora L. Euphorbiaceae Pithalu Root Enlargement of uterus: The roots are crushed and slightly warmed then it is RUC/MLD-343 applied externally until it cures C. sophera L. Fabaceae Kalkasunda/ Root Rheumatism: The root with ginger, garlic and black pepper are crushed and the RUC/MLD-279 Jhanjhane. paste is eaten to treat rheumatism A. precatorius L. Fabaceae Kunch (Beng.) Seed Pain: Seeds are crushed and paste is applied in stiffness of shoulder joint pain RUC/MLD-304 Azoospermia: Seeds are used to enhance sperm production C. crista L. Fabaceae Nata (Beng.) Leaf, seed Hydrocele: 3-4 pieces of apical leaf part are crushed with black pepper and RUC/MLD-319 taken to cure from hydrocele for 1 month Inflammation: Seed oil is applied externally against burning sensation of body T. indica L. Fabaceae Tetul (Beng.) Fruit Abdominal fat: Fresh fruits (1 kg) are boiled in water along with sugar (michri), RUC/MLD-322 and taken the juice twice to minimize abdominal fat Dysentery: Young fresh leaves are crushed along with sugar (michri), and the decoction is taken to treat dysentery T. foenum-graecum L. Fabaceae Methi Seed Kidney stone: The seeds are kept in a bowl of water then the decoction (1 glass) RUC/MLD-333 is taken at next morning in case of kidney stone for 15-20 days Diabetes: The seed powder is mixed with milk and taken at bed-time for 30 days against diabetes Dandruff: The seed paste is applied on head to prevent dandruff C. orchioides Gaertn. Hypoxidaceae Talmuli Root Azoospermia: The root (1-2 pieces) is chewed at every morning for 15-20 days RUC/MLD-335 to improve sperm production and motility O. kilimandscharicum Lamiaceae Dulal babu Seed Azoospermia: The seeds are taken in a bowl of water and left for whole night; Guerke then next morning it is crushed along with that water and taken to induce sperm RUC/MLD-347 production. The formulation is taken for 1 month L. glutinosa (Lour.) C. Lauraceae Daradmoyda Bark, leaf Bone crack: The stem bark is crushed along with harjora, curcuma to make a B. Rob. paste and applied as emollient on bone crack, ankle pain etc. RUC/MLD-259 Loose motion: Leaves are crushed and the juice is taken in case of loose motion B. acutangula (L.) Lecythidaceae Hizal (Beng.) Bark, seed Azoospermia: Bark is taken in a bowl of water and at the next morning the Gaertn. infusion is taken to condense watery semen for 30 days RUC/MLD-313 Sinus problem: The seeds are dusted and mixed with warm milk and then eaten at every evening for 1 month which effectively cure sinus problem D. falcata (L.f.) Etting. Loranthaceae Dharua Bark Menstrual problem: The bark is crushed along with bark of S. indica, fennel RUC/MLD-340 seeds and ginger and the juice is taken in case of irregular menstruation S. rhombifolia L. Malvaceae Peet Berala/ Root Abscesses: The roots are crushed with black pepper and areca nut and applied RUC/MLD-310 Bariala externally to cure from abscesses Inflammation: The roots and fennel seeds are crushed and the paste is used to relief from inflammation of breast A. moschatus Medik. Malvaceae Latakasturi Seed, Sex stimulant: Seeds are kept in a bowl for whole night. On the very next morning RUC/MLD-280 (Beng.) whole plant seeds are crushed along with roots of C. orchioides to make paste which act as sex stimulant and it enhances semen production C. hirsutus (L.) Diels Menispermaceae Jalkasha Leaf Azoospermia/late ejaculation: The leaf is crushed with water in a bowl and RUC/MLD-261 (Beng.) left for whole night and next morning the decoction is taken to induce semen production. It is also effective against late ejaculation A. catechu Willd. Mimosaceae Khoir Bark Ankle sprain: The bark is crushed along with harjora, curcuma, an egg and RUC/MLD-326 zinger to make a paste and applied externally on bone crack and ankle sprain Leucorrhea: The bark is crushed along with P. betel, lime and bark of Euphorbia neriifolia and then the paste is taken orally to cure from leucorrhea for 15-30 days M. pudica L. Mimosaceae Lajjabati Root, leaf Leucorrhea: Root decoction is used to treat leucorrhea for 20 days RUC/MLD-307 (Beng.) Breast Cancer: Leaves decoction is effectively used in breast cancer F. benghalensis L. Moraceae Bot Latex, root Nervous or body weakness: The latex mixed with sugar (batasa) are fed to RUC/MLD-257 induce semen production and in nervous or body weakness Rheumatism: The crushed apical prop root mixing with goat milk and sugar (batasa) are used to treat rheumatism S. cumini (L.) Skeels Myrtaceae Jam Leaf, seed Dysentery: Leaf is crushed along the leaf of Tamarindus sp. (tetul), michri RUC/MLD-337 (a type of sugar) and the roots of Cephalandra sp. (telakucha) and the paste is taken at empty stomach to prevent dysentery Diabetes: Seed powder is mixed with milk and taken twice a day in diabetes O. corniculata L. Oxalidaceae Amrul Whole Diabetes: The whole plant is crushed and juice is taken at early morning to RUC/MLD-320 plant, root prevent diabetes for 1-2 months Acidity/vomiting: The roots (3-4 pieces) are crushed with salt and taken to cure from acidity and vomiting

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Table 1: Contd. Name of the plants/ Family Local names Parts used Disease/formulation/administration voucher specimen number A. mexicana L. Papaveraceae Siyal kata/ Seed, leaf Skin disorders: The seeds are fried and crushed and then this seed-dust are RUC/MLD-311 Gandhila mixed with coconut oil and applied on body to prevent skin disorders like eczema, pus etc Conjunctivitis: The leaf juice is applied on eyes to cure eye disorders like inflammation, conjunctivitis etc P. emblica L. Phyllanthaceae Amlaki (Beng.) Fruit Late ejaculation: Dried fruits are dusted and eaten at morning and night after RUC/MLD-270 meal, which is very useful to prevent late ejaculation. The formulation is taken for 1-2 months Stungury: Boiled fresh fruits with slight salt are taken for 20-25 days to treat stungury P. betel L. Piperaceae Pan Leaf Leucorrhea: Leaf is crushed along with stem bark of E. nerifolia, lime and RUC/MLD-317 fruit of A. catechu (khoir), the paste is taken orally to cure from leucorrhea P. zeylanica L. Plumbaginaceae Sadachita/ Root Appetizer/blood enhancer: The root is crushed and the decoction used as an RUC/MLD-250 Agrochita appetizer and also acts as blood enhancer S. munja Roxb. Poaceae Siki ghas/ Root, oil Allergy/pain: The roots are crushed with curcuma and zinger and the paste is RUC/MLD-289 Biyana applied externally to cure from allergy and body pain Lumbago: The oil extracted from leaves, are used to treat from lumbago

H. cordata Thunb. Saururaceae Anstagach Leaf Vomiting: The leaves are crushed along with zinger and golmorich to induce RUC/MLD-335 vomiting S. ovalifolia Roxb. RUC/ Smilaceae Bagnocha/ Whole Impotency: The root is washed clearly and burned with the roots of A. indica. MLD-271 Kumarilata plant, root The ash is mixed with banana and taken in impotency of female Rheumatism: The whole plants are crushed with the bark of C. religiosa and the juice is taken to treat rheumatism for 2 months S. xanthocarpum Sch. Solanaceae Kantikari Whole Conjunctivitis: Whole plant is burned along with peyaj and used as emollient and Weldl. (Beng.) plant, root, on eyes to cure from conjunctivitis RUC/MLD-293 seed Pain: Roots and seeds are crushed along with the stem of E. tirucalli to make paste and applied externally to treat chest pain D. metel L. Solanaceae Kalo Dhutura Root, leaf Paralysis: The roots are crushed along with mustered oil, ghee (a remedy from RUC/MLD-328 milk), black pepper, curcuma and sindur, and then used as an emollient on paralyzed area until it cures Hair growth: The leaves are crushed and applied on head for over night, and washed off by tea-liquor to promote new hair growth. It is applied for 10-12 days A. augusta (L.) L. f Sterculiaceae Ulatkambal , Azoospermia: The petiole is crushed and kept in a bowl of water for a whole RUC/MLD-300 bark night, then the infusion is taken at early morning at empty stomach as semen and sperm enhancer

C. quadrangularis L. Vitaceae Harjora (Beng.) Whole Bone fracture/ankle sprain: The plant is crushed along with roots of D. metel (kalo RUC/MLD-312 plant dhutura), Glycosmis sp. (atiswar) leaves of Tamarindus sp. (tetul), ginger, salt and the pest is applied as emollient on bone fracture, ankle sprain (5-12 days)

C. trifolia (L.) Domin Vitaceae Choto Leaf Menstrual disorder: The leaves are crushed along with roots of A. aspera (apang) RUC/MLD-315 goaliarlata and Areca fruit and the juice is taken on empty stomach at early morning to prevent irregular menstruation (20-30 days) Z. cassumunar Roxb. Zingiberaceae Ban ada/Bau Rhizome Ankle sprain: The rhizome is crushed along with ginger and roots of RUC/MLD-323 ada bichuti (Tragia sp.) and a paste is made which is used as emollient on broken bone and ankle sprain A. zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt Zingiberaceae Elach Fruit Diabetes: Fruit (10-12 pieces) is crushed along with Musa stem, (3-4 pieces; 10 & Smith cm each) I. aquatica (kalmi sag), leaf of N. indicum and pinch of michri (remedy RUC/MLD-314 of sugar) and then the extract juice is taken orally to treat diabetes (30-45 days) A. paniculata: Andrographis paniculata, H. hirta: Hemigraphis hirta, A. spinosus: Amaranthus spinosus, A. aspera: Achyranthes aspera, F. vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare, A. scholaris: Alstonia scholaris, A. macrorrhiza: Alocasia macrorrhiza, C. rotang: Calamus rotang, A. indica: Aristolochia indica, B. ceiba: Bombax ceiba, H. indicum: Heliotropium indicum, T. chebula: Terminalia chebula, C. reflexa: Cuscuta reflexa, D. bulbifera: Dioscorea bulbifera, D. montana: Diospyros montana, J. gossypiifolia: Jatropha gossypiifolia, P. reticulatus: Phyllanthus reticulatus, T. involucrata: Tragia involucrata, E. tirucalli: Euphorbia tirucalli, E. neriifolia: Euphorbia neriifolia, T. nudiflora: Trewia nudiflora, C. sophera: Cassia sophera, A. precatorius: Abrus precatorius, C. crista: Caesalpinia crista, T. indica: Tamarindus indica, T. foenum-graecum: Trigonella foenum-graecum, C. orchioides: Curculigo orchioides, O. kilimandscharicum: Ocimum kilimandscharicum, L. glutinosa: Litsea glutinosa, B. acutangula: Barringtonia acutangula, D. falcata: Dendrophthoe falcata, S. rhombifolia: Sida rhombifolia, A. moschatus: Abelmoschus moschatus, C. hirsutus: Cocculus hirsutus, A. catechu: Acacia catechu, M. pudica: Mimosa pudica, F. benghalensis: Ficus benghalensis, S. cumini: Syzygium cumini, O. corniculata: Oxalis corniculata, A. mexicana: Argemone mexicana, P. emblica: Phyllanthus emblica, P. betel: Piper betel, P. zeylanica: Plumbago zeylanica, S. munja: Saccharum munja, H. cordata: Houttuynia cordata, S. ovalifolia: Smilax ovalifolia, S. xanthocarpum: Solanum xanthocarpum, D. metel: Datura metel, A. augusta: Abroma augusta, C. quadrangularis: Cissus quadrangularis, C. trifolia: Cayratia trifolia, Z. cassumunar: Zingiber cassumunar, A. zerumbet: Alpinia zerumbet, S. chirata: Swertia chirata, A. conyzoides: Ageratum conyzoides, A. maxicana: Argemone maxicana, T. bellirica: Terminalia bellirica, S. indica: Saraca indica, C. religiosa: Crateva religiosa, A. aspera: Achranthus aspera, I. aquatica: Ipomoea aquatica, N. indicum: Nerium indicum

184 J Intercult Ethnopharmacol ● 2014 ● Vol 3 ● Issue 4 Saha, et al.: Local healthcare management practices of Malda district, India

A. spinosus was used to treat menstrual disorders, rheumatism, carrying out the survey. The field work study for this investigation cuts and wounds; T. foenum-graecum was used against kidney was supported by the Department of Science and Technology, stone, diabetes and dandruff problems. West Bengal Government, India and UGC for the fellowship.

As the tribal people remain busy throughout the year with their REFERENCES practice of livelihood from the agricultural sector, they rarely visit the hospitals in towns. Simultaneously, they cannot afford the 1 . Lone PA, Bhardwaj AK. Traditional herbal based disease treatment in cost of modern medicines. It has also been observed that some some rural areas of Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Asian J Pharm Clin Res 2013;6:162-71. of the villages are in such remote areas where transportation 2. WHO. Traditional Medicine, Growing Needs and Potential. WHO facilities are inaccessible or sometimes become detached due Policy Perspectives on Medicines. Vol. 2. Geneva: WHO; 2002. p. 1-6. to some natural calamities. Hence, the villagers cannot reach 3. Chandel KP, Shukla G, Sharma N. Biodiversity in Medicinal and the nearby hospital. As a result, the ethnomedicinal practices Aromatic Plants in India, Conservation and Utilization. New Delhi, India: NBPGR; 1996. are popular in the study area as it is more accessible, easy to 4. Saha MR, DeSarker D, Sen A. Ethnoveterinary practices among the prepare, low costs, and eco-friendly. Besides, the practice of tribal community of Malda district of West Bengal, India. Indian J medicinal plants treating the patients is an alternative source Tradit Knowl 2014;13:359-67. of income for the healers. 5. Sur PR, Sen R, Halder AC, Bandyopadhyay S. Observation on the ethnobotany of Malda-West Dinajpur districts, West Bengal-I. J Econ Taxonomic Bot 1987;10:395-401. CONCLUSION 6. Sur PR, Sen R, Halder AC, Bandyopadhyay S. Observation on the ethnobotany of Malda-West Dinajpur districts, West Bengal-II. J Econ Taxonomic Bot 1990;14:453-9. The present study exhibited that how different interviewing 7. Pal BC, Das KK. Usage of mango (Mangifera indica) tree-parts as procedures helped to gather the information regarding the traditional folk medicine in rural Malda, West Bengal, India. Environ name of the diseases treated, plant resources and their usage, Ecol 2008;26:719-21. 8. Chowdhury M, Das AP. Inventory of some ethno-medicinal plants including their mode of administration. A total of 44 types of in wetlands areas in Maldah district of West Bengal. Pleione local ailments was treated with 88 phytotherapeutic uses in 2009;3:83-8. this district. The making procedure of herbal preparation is 9. The International Society of Ethnobiology Code of Ethics. Available yet a secret and passed on generation after generation verbally. from: http://www.ethnobiology.net/code-of-ethics/ [Accessed on 2008 Nov 24]. Proper analysis of herbal formulations and phytoconstituents 10. Jain SK. A Manual of Ethno-Botany. 2nd ed. India: Jodhpur Scientific of used plants can open new door for the researchers. However, Publishers; 1995. ethnobotanical data is the basis of further validation of practices 11. Jain SK, Rao RR. A Handbook of Field and Herbarium Methods. and plant uses in the context of a professional approach to New Delhi, India: Today and Tomorrow Publisher; 1977. 12. Muhammad G, Khan MZ, Hussain MH, Iqbal Z, Iqbal M, Athar M. develop new herbal drug [12]. Ethnoveterinary practices of owners of pneumatic-cart pulling camels in Faisalabad City (Pakistan). J Ethnopharmacol 2005;97:241-6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT © SAGEYA. This is an open access article licensed under the terms Manas Ranjan Saha acknowledges the receipt of BRS meritorious of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, fellowship. The authors are grateful to all the local practitioners noncommercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided and knowledgeable persons of the study area who shared their the work is properly cited. knowledge without any hesitation. Thanks are also due to field Source of Support: Nil, Confl ict of Interest: None declared. assistants, namely Mr. Azizul Islam and Mr. Niranjan Das in

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